March 18, 2010, (Sawf News) - Kareena Kapoor is focused on her career and has beau Saif Ali Khan to lean on, so marriage is not a priority at this point in her life..

"Marriage is just a public certificate," Kareena told HT in an interview. "It means more to society than us. It will happen, hopefully soon, but not rightaway."

The unabashed but talented Kapoor lass also hinted that she is the highest paid actress in the industry.

"I don't stick to a price but I get what I deserve. And going by the list of my mega producers and multinational brands that I have signed up with, it's not hard to figure out that I'm getting the best," she said.

Kareena is particularly excited with her first international brand promotion assignment for Sony Ericsson with tennis star Anna Kournikova.

"I've just been signed up by an international phone brand, Sony Ericsson, to promote a new product on the international platform, alongside tennis star Anna Kournikova. The launch will be in Delhi, followed by an international launch in New York," she said.

Kareena will be next seen in Milenge Milenge opposite former beau Shahid Kapoor. The much delayed film is finally expected to be released this summer.

"It's a conscious decision not to do too many films with Saif," she told HT in an interview. "He'll have to find another actress for Race 2. But I still run away whenever they start talking about the film. I so wanted to do it."

Not known for her humility, Kareena also said she expects to win a Padam Shri award "in five-seven years."

"With the support of my friends from the film industry and the media it could happen. I'm looking forward to the day," she elaborated.

Referring to the controversy surrounding the Padam Shri given to Saif, Kareena said:

"It was probably because at 40 he was one of the youngest Padma Shri winners this year. But I think the honor was richly deserved given the kind of work he's been doing. He doesn't do too many films but the ones he agrees to, he takes to another level. He is a spectacular actor who is always willing to stretch boundaries."

She clinched the argument with a profound - "If not Saif, who else deserves a Padma Shri?"

SAIF RECEIVES THE AWARD

TOGETHER IN PROUD MOMENT

After receiving an honorary award like Padma Shri, Saif Ali Khan is on cloud nine. Though his name for Padma Shri raised many eyebrows, the man remains unperturbed. Wearing an off-white sherwani and accompanied by his ladylove Kareena Kapoor, also dressed in an off-white salwar suit, Saif looked classy and handsome on Wednesday.

Now, he is Shri Saif and people have already started calling him that. Kareena, who was slightly under the weather, didn’t miss this lifetime opportunity to be with her man. The couple was clicked sharing some good moments.

Along with Saif, the beautiful Rekha, boxer Vijender Singh, sound technician and Oscar award winner Resul Pookutty of Slumdog Millionaire fame and ace car racer Narain Karthikeyan were also conferred with Padma Shri, while music composer Ilaiyaraaja received Padma Bhushan.